A canal runs between dike paths which keeps each side separate, and isolated from each other. Lots of birds were behind the brush line, but there was no easy access.
But I did get this Spoonbill that dropped down on the canal trees.
A bonus. The bird was close, but safe from the ‘photo person’ walking the waters edge. He stayed, and was joined later by others.
For all those days that we struggle to find wildlife these days make up for them.
I just commented to Mike Powell (Click Here) how I remember ‘Mutual Of Omaha, Wild Kingdom’.
Well, this is why.
Simply amazing.
When seen coming in low to land if I shoot a little wide and get focus for the first shot chances are good there will be a series of photographs. That’s the plan anyway.
I try to start just about the time they ‘apply the breaks’.
While this looks like a large open lake it’s anything but that. There are tall grass and dikes all around this spot. The part you can’t plan is where they land, so I got lucky here.
Note the lack of photos of the touch down itself… luck ran out as grass to my left entered the last shots.
Two groups of Spoonbills were in the same rice field, one at either end.
True to form neither group was happy with their spot. They kept switching places.
This was a pretty good touch down. A small splash and the bird was grabbing for food before he even fully stopped.
The style of shot where if you lean back any further you’re going down.
No notice here, came in low, overhead.
It was lean back, autofocus, and push the button…a lot.
The sun shining through the feathers means I was shooting into the sun, which blew out most shots.
Fun when this happens though.
One of a few mixed groups I found the other day. These were up on a small hammock in the middle of a marsh/rice field.
I had few options of where I could stand, none all that great.
There were Great and Snowy Egrets, Roseate Spoonbill, and the big pile of White Pelican.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
An adult Spoonbill sifting through the water.
Usually they feed by walking along and stirring up the water with their ‘spoon’.
This bird was part of a group but did keep up with the others. It’s great to see flocks, but so much easier to photograph them one on one.
A Roseate Spoonbill landing in a wildlife management area. Each fall migrating birds and year round species flock together where the water is shallow.
This Spoonbill was moving between marsh ponds in the morning. They tend to feed until late morning, then rest until the evening.
